School reopens, enrolments set

By YVONNE HAIP
THE Jimi High school in Jiwaka that was closed last year over election-related disputes and tribal fighting, has been reopened, with enrolments set for next week.
The school located in Kol in the upper Jimi area was given the green light to reopen by community leaders, school board members, staff and concerned authorities during a meeting in Banz yesterday.
Tribal fighting and violence had forced the closure of the school of 600 pupils.
They were transferred to Banz where the school board rented a building to complete the second term.
The teachers’ hardship and transportation difficulties were partly solved by the Jiwaka provincial administration, who presented a school vehicle last year.
But roads remain a problem, and last week local MP Mai Dop committed K100,000 for road maintenance. 
This money will be used by the locals to maintain the road using spades and bush knives.
In addition, Governor William Tongamp pumped in K500,000 for emergency work to restore the school.
Police announced the reopening of the district police station and the Jimi people hoped to benefit from the government after years of neglect.
Public servant Bang Kupul and Okulka community leader David Guan thanked authorities for reopening the school and police station.

Kupul said Jimi lacked vital services but “things are slowly happening” and thanked Dop for recognising the need for roads.

Guan thanked locals living on the roadsides for helping maintain the roads and the MP and governor for their assistance.
He also called for Jimi High teachers to return to the school to ensure that children in the remote district received education they were entitled to.

The school is the only one in the district, and due to bad road conditions, school staff, who pay K50 to get from Kol to Banz, are often unable to cope with the hassle of transporting school and personal supplies.